U.S. patent number 4,632,494 [Application Number 06/840,539] was granted by the patent office on 1986-12-30 for linear moving irrigating apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Alco Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to John M. Bukousky, Stephen D. Newell, Stephen B. Rowe.
United States Patent |
4,632,494 |
Newell , et al. |
December 30, 1986 |
Linear moving irrigating apparatus
Abstract
A self-propelled, linear-forwardly, relatively slow-moving
irrigating apparatus has a main frame and master drive unit
carrying a rotating, water-supplying, pipe-like, axle shaft that
provides a side-extending wheel-line along which are spaced what
may be termed power, booster and wheeled spray units that enable a
large area of ground crop to be irrigated at one time.
Longitudinally spaced-apart hydrants are provided along the length
of the field that is to be irrigated to detachably receive a
flexible water-supplying hose that is also detachably carried by
the main frame. The apparatus has automatic means for maintaining
the main frame and the wheel-line in an aligned forwardly advancing
relation, for stopping forward movement when a serious obstruction
is encountered and when the desired full extent of its advance
along a side-extending anchored guide cable has been attained.
Combustion engine and coupling means is provided for the main frame
and a wheel-line power unit to drive the apparatus backwardly
towards its starting position without the need for auxiliary
drag-back tractor or other equipment.
Inventors: |
Newell; Stephen D. (DuBois,
PA), Rowe; Stephen B. (DuBois, PA), Bukousky; John M.
(Sykesville, PA) |
Assignee: |
Alco Industries, Inc. (Valley
Forge, PA)
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Family
ID: |
27013972 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/840,539 |
Filed: |
March 17, 1986 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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392645 |
Jun 28, 1982 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/737; 239/739;
239/741; 239/744; 239/750; 74/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
25/09 (20130101); Y10T 74/1569 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A01G
25/00 (20060101); A01G 25/09 (20060101); B05B
003/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/178,184,186,188,189,190,191,709,713-716,720,721
;74/151,152 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peters, Jr.; Joseph F.
Assistant Examiner: Forman; Michael J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Parmelee, Miller, Welsh &
Kratz
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 392,645
filed on June 28, 1982, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof having a wheeled frame and
a water-carrying revolving axle shaft that mounts at least one
wheel of the frame, the improvement which comprises: a bull gear
secured on the shaft for rotating it to advance the apparatus along
the field, a hydraulic jack operatively mounted on the frame, a
stroking arm at one end operatively connected to said jack for
actuation thereby, teeth-engaging means operatively carried on said
stroking arm and adapted to engage teeth of said bull gear for
rotating it, means for supplying water under positive pressure to
actuate said jack for advancing the unit along the field, a
pivotally mounted fulcrum arm secured to said jack for movement
therewith, and pressure cut-off means operated by said fulcrum arm
and cooperating with said water supplying means for limiting the
maximum torque exerted by said jack in advancing the apparatus.
2. An irrigating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said
pressure cut-off means is a valve, lever means is connected between
said fulcrum arm and said pressure cut-off valve for operating said
valve to close off the supply of water to said jack when a selected
maximum torque is encountered by said stroking arm, and adjustable
means is connected to said lever means for controlling the maximum
torque setting of said valve.
3. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof which has a wheeled main
frame having a hollow rotatable shaft that defines a side-extending
sprinkler-carrying and water-supplying irrigating wheel-line,
wherein an anchored cable is adapted to extend between spaced
length portions of the field to guide the apparatus in its movement
therealong, and wherein the apparatus is to be advanced at a
selected relative slow rate, the improvement which comprises, a
capstan operatively carried on the main frame and reeving with the
cable for rotating guided movement therealong, a gear connected to
said capstan for rotating it, a hydraulic jack, a stroking arm
pivotally mounted at its forward end on the rotatable shaft, said
stroking arm having means adapted to engage teeth of said gear for
progressively advancing rotation-inducing engagement therewith,
said jack having an upwardly and downwardly moving piston connected
at one end to a back end of said stroking arm for moving said
stroking arm in a capstan-rotating forwardly advancing direction,
valve means for positively hydraulically actuating said piston with
water under pressure in both its upward and downward movements, and
means sensitive to torque exerted on said stroking arm and carried
by the main frame for controlling the amount of forwardly advancing
rotative movement of said capstan as effected by said stroking
arm.
4. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof which has a wheeled main
frame unit and a side-extending sprinkler-carrying irrigating
wheel-line defined by a hollow water-supplying rotatable shaft, and
wherein an anchored cable is adapted to extend between spaced
length portions of the field to guide the equipment in an advancing
movement between a starting and a forwardly advanced position
therealong, the improvement which comprises: a pair of wheels and a
capstan operatively carried on the shaft at the main frame unit,
said capstan reeving the cable for rotative guided movement
therealong, a gear connected to said capstan for rotating it, a
hydraulic jack mounted on the main frame and having a piston rod
extending therefrom, a stroke arm operatively connected at one end
to said piston rod and having means adapted to progressively engage
teeth of said gear for inducing rotative advancing movement of said
capstan along the cable; a power mover unit positioned along the
shaft in a spaced position with respect to said main frame unit and
having wheel means and a gear secured on the shaft for rotative
movement therewith, a second hydraulic jack pivotally mounted at
one end of said power unit and at its other end having a piston rod
extending therefrom, a stroke arm operatively connected at one end
to said last-mentioned piston rod and having means to progressively
engage teeth of said last-mentioned gear to apply rotational force
thereto and additional rotational force to the shaft, a fulcrum arm
connected to the one end of said second jack for pivotal movement
therewith, a water line for supplying water under positive pressure
from the shaft to said second jack, and pressure cut-off valve
means in said water line operatively connected to said fulcrum arm
for controlling maximum torque exerted by said second jack during
operative movement of said last-mentioned piston rod.
5. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof having a wheeled frame,
and a water-carrying revolving axial shaft that mounts wheel means
on the frame, the improvement which comprises: reciprocating
hydraulic jack means operatively mounted on the frame, a bull gear
operatively mounted on the shaft for advancing the mover unit along
the field, a water line operatively connected to said jack means
for supplying the water under pressure thereto for actuating it,
means in said water line for controlling the operation of said
hydraulic jack means, a stroking arm operatively connected to said
jack means, and cooperating with said bull gear for rotating said
gear, control valve means for applying water under positive
pressure to said jack means for reciprocating it positively under
water pressure forwardly and backwardly on the frame in such a
manner as to actuate said bull gear on its forwawrd stroke, valve
means cooperating with movement of said jack means for reversing
the flow of water to and from said jack means to effect its
reciprocating movement, and additional valve means controlled by
torque resistance to movement of said jack means that is actuated
to cut-off flow of water under pressure to said jack means when
resistance to advancing movement of the mover apparatus approaches
a pre-selected value.
6. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof which has a wheeled frame
and side-extending sprinkler-carrying irrigating wheel-line,
wherein the wheel-line has a hollow water-supplying rotating shaft
on which wheel means is mounted, and wherein the apparatus is
adapted to be advanced forwardly along and to be retracted
backwardly along the field, the improvement which comprises: a bull
gear operatively mounted on the shaft for imparting rotating
movement thereto, a hydraulic jack pivotally mounted at its lower
end on the wheeled frame and at its upper end having a piston rod
extending therefrom, a stroking arm operatively connected to said
piston rod and having means adapted to progressively engage teeth
of said gear for inducing rotational advancing movement thereof as
effected by movement of said piston rod to apply forward movement
to the shaft, an engine on the frame and having drive means adapted
to be moved into and out of an operating relation with the shaft
for driving the machine in a retracting direction along the field,
a fulcrum arm pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the
lower end of said jack for movement therewith, a water supply line
connected between the water-supplying shaft and said jack for
supplying water under pressure to said jack, and a pressure cut-off
valve positioned in said water supply line and operated by said
fulcrum arm for controlling maximum torque exerted by said jack in
operating said piston rod to advance the mover apparatus along the
field.
7. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along the
field between opposite length portions thereof, having a wheeled
frame and a water-carrying revolving axial shaft that mounts at
least one wheel of the frame, having water spray means connected to
the axial shaft for receiving water therefrom and dispersing it on
the field, and also having a bull gear mounted on the axial shaft
for rotating movement to advance the mover apparatus along the
field, the improvement which comprises: a hydraulic jack
operatively mounted on the frame, a stroking arm operatively
connected to said jack for actuating thereby, said stroking arm
having means for engaging teeth of the bull gear for rotating it to
advance the mover apparatus along the field, means for supplying
water under pressure to the axial shaft and to the water spray
means connected thereto, means operatively associated with said
jack and sensitive to torque resistance encountered by said jack in
advancing the mover apparatus, said last-mentioned means being
adapted to positively shut-off supply of water to said jack and to
said axial shaft when a pre-selected torque resistance is
encountered by said jack.
8. An irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement along a field
between opposite length portions thereof having a wheeled frame and
a water-carrying revolving axle shaft that mounts at least one
wheel of the frame, the improvement which comprises: a bull gear
secured on the shaft for rotating it to advance the apparatus along
the field, a hydraulic jack operatively mounted on the frame, a
stroking arm at one end operatively connected to said jack for
actuation thereby, teeth-engaging means operatively carried on said
stroking arm and adapted to engage teeth of said bull gear for
rotating it, means for supplying water under positive pressure to
actuate said jack for advancing the unit along the field, a
pivotally mounted fulcrum arm secured to said jack for movement
therewith, pressure cut-off means operated by said fulcrum arm and
cooperating with said water supplying means for limiting the
maximum torque exerted by said jack in advancing the apparatus,
said fulcrum arm being connected to a lower end of said jack and
pivoted on the wheeled frame, and said fulcrum arm having an
extending end operatively connected to said last-mentioned means
for moving said last-mentioned means to a closed position when the
selected torque resistance is encountered by said jack during its
movement.
9. A self-propelled irrigating mover apparatus for linear movement
along a field between opposite length portions thereof having a
wheeled frame and a water-carrying revolving axial shaft that
mounts wheel means on the frame, the improvement which comprises: a
bull gear mounted on the frame for rotating movement to advance the
mover apparatus along the field, a hydraulic jack operatively
mounted on the frame, a stroking arm operatively connected to said
jack for actuation thereby, said stroking arm having means for
operatively engaging teeth of said bull gear for rotating it to
advance the mover apparatus along the field, means for supplying
water under positive fluid pressure to actuate said jack,
adjustment means cooperating with said teeth engaging means for
selecting the number of teeth engaged thereby to control the speed
of forward movement of the apparatus, valve means connected to said
water supply means for alternately applying energizing water to
opposite ends of said jack to positively effect reciprocating
action thereof under water pressure, and additional valve means
controlled by torque resistance to forward advance of the mover
apparatus along the field for positively cutting off the supply of
positive fluid pressure to said jack and de-energizing it.
10. A self-propelled irrigating mover apparatus for movement along
a field between opposite length portions thereof having a wheeled
frame and sprinkler means, the improvement which comprises, a
hydraulic jack operatively mounted on the wheeled frame and having
stroking arm means actuated thereby to advance the frame along the
field, means for supplying water under positive fluid pressure to
said jack, valve means connected between said water supplying means
and said jack for actuating said jack under water pressure to
forwardly advance the mover apparatus along the field, and
additional valve means controlled by torque resistance to the
forward advance of the mover apparatus along the field as applied
to said stroking arm for positively cutting-off the supply of
positive fluid pressure to said jack and de-energizing it.
11. A self-propelled irrigating mover apparatus as defined in claim
10 wherein said additional valve means is connected between said
water supplying means and said jack actuating valve means.
12. A self-propelled irrigating mover apparatus as defined in claim
11 wherein said jack actuating valve means is connected between
said water supplying means and opposite ends of said jack to
positively effect reciprocating action of said jack under water
pressure.
13. A self-propelled irrigating apparatus as defined in claim 12
wherein, said additional valve means has means for presetting it to
a selected maximum torque exerted on said stroking arm for cutting
off the supply of positive fluid pressure to said jack means.
14. An irrigating apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein an
engine is mounted on the frame and has means for driving the frame
in a reverse direction for returning the apparatus to a starting
position.
15. An irrigating apparatus as defined in claim 14 for linear
movement with respect to a water-supplying hydrant, a flexible
water supplying hose is adapted to be detachably connected at one
end to the hydrant, a shut-off valve is carried by the frame, said
water supply means has a coupling carried adjacent a rear end of
the frame for connecting said shut-off valve to the flexible water
supplying hose during forwardly advancing movement of the
apparatus, and a second coupling is carried adjacent a front end of
the main frame for connecting the flexible water supplying hose
thereto after the hose is disconnected from the hydrant and the
apparatus is to be returned from a final forward stopping position
to a starting position by said engine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to an irrigating apparatus for linear
movement along a field crop to effectively cover a maximum area
thereof in a progressive, slowly advancing type of sprinkling
operation in which the apparatus is self-energized in both its
forwardly advancing sprinkling operation and in a reverse-return
type of operation. A further aspect deals with operative features
of the apparatus that enable it to function in a foolproof and
positive manner, with a minimum of manual control and auxiliary
equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND PROBLEMS INVOLVED
Heretofore, there have been both rotary and linear types of field
area irrigating equipment, but the present invention pertains
particularly to a linear type and to problems which have heretofore
been presented from the standpoint of presently known prior art
apparatus. One characteristic of the prior art apparatus is that
use has been made of hydraulic jack actuation in which the upper or
forward movement of the piston rod of the jack represents the only
positive actuation thereof and as employed to advance the
equipment. The disadvantage of constructions of this type has been
that the return of the piston and its rod is non-positive, in that
it depends primarily on gravity and weight considerations, and this
has given rise to various adverse factors, such as a total stoppage
of return due to dirt or mud thrown up from the field, or uncertain
and uneven movement due to frictional resistance encountered by the
piston within its housings, etc.
A further problem encountered in the prior art equipment has been
the lack of full coordination between the drive of the main frame
unit and the movement and drive of the wheel-line, side-extending
portion of the apparatus, such as may be caused by the different
nature and contour of the field transversely thereof as encountered
by the apparatus, by an actual obstruction encountered, such as a
stone or mound of dirt, all of which tend to present problems of
misalignment or a tendency to bend or break wheel-line portions of
the apparatus or to damage the equipment when an excess torque is
engendered. The need has been for an apparatus that will give a
maximum coverage in its forward linear advance, for example, about
a quarter of a mile of field width, and which will do so without
entailing any damage to the apparatus due to obstructions,
stoppage, irregular contours or other factors that are encountered
during forward movement.
The need has been for a substantially fully coordinated and
automated type of operation, such that stoppage of wheel-line drive
may be effected when torque resistance above a present value is
reached. Also, simplified self-aligning means should be provided
that will enable the advance of the main frame to be slowed down,
speeded up or stopped to coordinate its movement with that of the
wheel-line.
Another problem, as previously presented, has been the difficulty
of returning apparatus, and especially apparatus having a
considerable length of wheel-line, to an initial or starting
position, once it has reached the end of its desired forward
travel. In this connection, it has heretofore been necessary to
utilize a heavy tractor, truck or other power equipment which tends
to sink into the wet soil and cause excessive damage to the growing
crops, and which increase costs from the standpoint of man hours
and excessive auxiliary equipment required.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It has thus been an object of the invention to determine and
evaluate the adverse factors that heretofore have been encountered
in connection with the utilization of wide coverage, linear
irrigating apparatus.
Another object has been to devise linear moving irrigating
apparatus which meets the adverse factors and which enables a
solution to problems encountered in the design and use of prior art
construction.
A further object of the invention has been to devise an irrigating
apparatus for effectively wetting a large crop planted field or
area, and whose relatively slow speed can be accurately adjusted
and set to accommodate an efficient, full forward irrigating
action, and that is so constructed as to enable automatic alignment
adjustment and protection from damage by reason of irregular ground
contour or the presence of an equipment damaging type of
obstruction.
A still further object has been to devise a linear irrigating
apparatus that may be both positively hydraulically advanced in a
sprinkling operation, and that may then be self-operated in a
reverse or return direction with a minimal or changeover involved
and with minimal damage to the crop area.
These and other objects of the invention will appear to those
skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiment and the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The illustrated embodiment utilizes a main frame that carries a
lateral or side-extending wheel-line on a hollow, water-supplying,
pipe-like shaft member that serves as a drive shaft and wheel axle
for moving the apparatus in both forwardly advancing and retracting
directions. The shaft serves to supply water under pressure to
spray heads at spaced locations along the wheel-line; it utilizes
spaced-apart supporting wheels and booster and power units that
supplement movement that is effected by a positively reciprocated
hydraulic jack on the main frame. A power unit carried midway of
the wheel-line also cooperates with the master drive unit of the
main frame in returning the apparatus to a starting area. Power
units of the apparatus employ hydraulic jacks, stroking arms and
bull gears for effecting forward movement and have adjustment means
between the stroking arms and teeth of cooperating bull gears for
selecting the number of teeth that will be engaged during each
upward stroke of the jacks.
The main frame unit utilizes a self-aligning means that is
controlled in its operation by the relationship between a drive
reel or capstan and a reeved guide cable which is to be anchored at
its ends to extend along a full forward length of the field to be
covered.
Side-positioned booster drive and power units are each provided
with torque-sensitive valve means that will slow down and stop the
drive stroking movement of their associated jacks when an
obstruction is encountered. The main frame as well as an
intermediate power drive unit are provided with combustion engines
for driving the equipment in a coordinated return direction after a
flexible supply hose has been disconnected from a water supply
hydrant at its one end and its other end has been connected in a
dragging return relation to the then back end of the returning main
frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a greatly reduced somewhat diagrammatic plan view
illustrating apparatus of the invention in a typical forwardly
advancing, crop irrigating layout;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view in elevation showing a main or master
drive unit and its mounting on a longitudinally extending main
frame; it also shows a hollow, water-carrying rotating axle shaft
which, in effect, defines a side or laterally extending
wheel-line;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view in elevation on the scale of FIG. 2,
illustrating an intermediate power drive unit that may be
positioned, as shown in FIG. 1, in an operative mid position along
the wheel-line;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view in elevation on the same scale as
FIGS. 2 and 3 and particularly illustrating which may be termed
booster units which, as indicated in FIG. 1, may be spaced along
the wheel-line to support it and drive it forwardly during the
irrigating, forward movement of the apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a slightly enlarged fragmental plan view of the master
drive unit apparatus of FIG. 2 which particularly shows its
self-alignment system, a rearwardly-positioned automatic, shut-off
valve mechanism, and a forwardly-positioned combustion engine drive
which is utilized to return the apparatus to its starting area or
position;
FIG. 6 is a fragmental side view in elevation on the scale of and
taken along the line VI--VI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmental view in elevation taken along the
line VI--VI of FIG. 8 and showing an upper portion of a positively
reciprocated typical hyraulic jack mechanism whose reversing
operating is controlled by a poppet valve;
FIG. 8 is a fragmental side view in elevation on the same scale as
FIG. 7, and particularly illustrating a jack-actuated, forward
drive mechanism for the power and booster units of FIGS. 3 and 4;
except for the use of torque-sensitive, valve-control means, the
jack, stroke arm and bull gear equipment is substantially the same
as that employed for the master drive unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 is a further enlarged fragmental perspective view
particularly illustrating a frame-mounted support post or bracket
for carrying a slidable, adjustment piece or element which may be
used with the drives of the master, power and booster units for
adjusting and setting the number of teeth that are energized by an
upper dog that is positively actuated by each, upward power stroke
of an associated stroking arm;
FIG. 10 is a fragmental side view in elevation taken from the lower
part of the main frame apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6 to show the
construction and mounting of self-aligning means that may be
adjusted for its scope of speed control by a hand wheel; it also
shows the relation between the bull gear and the capstan with the
reeving of an anchored cable about the capstan;
FIG. 11 is a fragmental sectional view on the scale of and taken
along the line XI--XI of FIG. 10; in this view, the flow control
valve has been rotated 90.degree.0 from FIG. 6 to show it more
clearly;
FIG. 11A is an enlarged fragmental view of the flow control valve
of FIG. 11;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged isometric view of a main valve shut-off
lever mechanism of the master drive unit for closing-off the supply
of water to the equippage when the operating finger of the system
engages a stop along the anchored cable at a desired forward, final
stopping position of the apparatus (see also FIG. 1);
FIG. 13 is an enlarged section taken through the rotating,
water-supplying, axle shaft adjacent a spray mount, see line
XIII--XIII of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a side section on the scale of and taken along the line
XIV--XIV of FIG. 13;
And, FIG. 15 is a side section in partial section on the same scale
as FIG. 14 showing how the axle shaft is supplied with water from
the short length connecting hose illustrated in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIG. 1 of the drawings, an apparatus of the invention is
somewhat diagrammatically illustrated. In this layout, A and A'
represent a group or series of spaced-apart hydrants whose
intermediate spacing approximates a distance representing twice the
length of a flexible hose G which is to be detachably utilized
therewith for supplying water under pressure to the apparatus. As
indicated, the irrigating apparatus is adapted to advance forwardly
lengthwise in a direction along a field or crop area between two
locations that are represented by ground anchors 42, 43 between
which the guide cable 41 is adapted to extend. It will be noted
that the back end of the cable 41 is secured to the anchor 43
through the agency of a heavy spring 44 which serves to provide it
with a flexible, non-breakable mounting.
The apparatus proper employs a master drive unit C that is
represented by a main frame 10 (see FIG. 2) from which extends a
rotating, pipe-like water-carrying axle shaft 17 that serves as a
conduit to supply water under pressure along its length to
sprinkling units 93 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14). The shaft 17
defines a side or laterally extending wheel-line B that is
supported at spaced locations along its length by wheels F that are
keyed thereon. Also, a mid-located power mover unit D and
lengthwise-space booster units E are shown as completing the
wheel-line construction.
Forward movement of the construction is accomplished in a
substantially automatic manner by a four wheel master drive unit C,
four wheel power unit D, and two wheel booster units E, all as
driven by reciprocating hydraulic jacks 30, 30' and 30". The
maximum or final forward position of the apparatus is controlled by
a stop element of trip clamp 41a (see FIGS. 6 and 12) that is to be
clamped on the cable 41 to trip a lever mechanism shown in FIG. 12
of the drawings to completely shut-off the supply of water to the
apparatus at the end of its forward movement through the agency of
a main shut-off valve 45. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve 45 is
mounted on frame 10 by an upwardly extending bracket 46. Suitable
rotatable spray head assemblies (see FIGS. 13 and 14) apply water
to the crop rows during the forward advance of the apparatus. The
advance is effected at a relatively slow rate to assure a suitable
depth of wetting of the field area with one movement.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the master drive unit C is shown as
a four-wheeled unit whose pair of rear wheels 11 (the arrow a
represents the direction of forward movement) are free-turning and
mounted by their hubs 12 on a cross-extending axle shaft 13 and
secured in place by spacer collars 14. The shaft 13 is rigidly
secured on a back end front portion of the main frame 10.
A pair of front wheels 15 are provided with hubs 16 that are bolted
on the front shaft 17 which, as noted in FIG. 2, is provided with
enclosure caps 18 at its opposite ends to provide a closed-end
conduit for water supplied thereto. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a
dead end coupling 21 is securely fastened, as by weld metal, on a
U-shaped mounting block 22 that extends upwardly from the main
frame 10 to provide it with sufficient strength to drag flexible
water supply hose G back when the apparatus has reached its final
forward position.
Water under suitable pressure is supplied by heavy duty flexible
hose G to the main unit C through an end coupling 45a of a main
butterfly, shut-off valve 45, see FIG. 5. Water passes from the
valve 45 through an opposite end coupling 21a which serves as a
one-end mounting for short length of flexible hose H (see FIG. 2).
The other or front end of the hose H is adapted to be connected to
a tee fitting 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 15) which is mounted in a fluid
sealed-off positioning on the hollow shaft 17 to supply water under
pressure through sidewise open ports in the shaft and provide a
continuous flow therethrough during the forward movement of the
apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, and earlier mentioned,
closed-off or dead end coupling 21 is mounted on the front end of
the frame 10 to receive one end of the flexible hose G for dragging
it backwardly along the field when the apparatus is to be returned
to an initial or starting position. At this time, the forward end
of the hose G is disconnected from an adjacent hydrant, such as A',
which is turned-off, and from the back end coupling 45a of the main
valve 45.
A relatively slowly timed forward movement of the main frame 10 and
its unit C is accomplished through the agency of a reciprocating,
positively powered, double-acting hydraulic jack 30 (see
particularly FIGS. 6 and 7). The hydraulic jack 30 is employed to
forwardly advance the unit C through the agency of a stroking arm
28, an upper or power stroke actuated drive dog, pawl or
spring-pressed latching finger element 24, a bull gear 25 and a
capstan 40. As shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 10, anchored cable
41 is reeved about the grooved periphery of the capstan 40 in such
a manner that rotation thereof will cause the capstan to advance
the unit C forwardly along the cable 41 at a rate depending upon
the number of teeth 25a of the bull gear 15 that are engaged with
each upward or outer power stroke of piston rod 31 of the jack 30.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper or power stroke pawl 24 is
pivotally mounted by a side-extending pin 23a within and to extend
from bifurcated bracket 23 that is secured at a mid location along
the stroking arm 28.
Adjustment of the number of teeth engaged with each upward power
stroke of piston 32 and piston rod 31 of the jack 30 is controlled
by adjustable, arcuate-shaped, sliding piece or element 26, see
particularly FIG. 9. A support or bracket member 27 extends upwardy
in a secured relation to the frame 10, and has an offset
angle-shaped extension portion 27a that carries a wing nut and bolt
assembly 27b for mounting the adjustment plate or element 26 in a
secure, set position along its arcuate or sloped adjustment slot
26a. In this manner, as illustrated by the dot and dash lines of
FIG. 8, the dog 24 may, for example, be adapted to advance the bull
gear 25 by only one or two or three teeth engagement during the
upper stroke of the jack.
As shown in FIG. 9, the extending portion of the pin 23a of the
pawl 24 is rounded to ride along the outer arcuate surface of the
adjustment element 26 for a distance which represents a distance of
non-tooth engagement by the pawl 24. A tension spring 24b is
connected at one end to a lug 24f on the pawl 24 and, at its other
end, to a lug 24e on the mounting bracket assembly 23 to normally
urge the pawl towards tooth engagement with respect to the bull
gear 25, as well as into riding-over engagement with the adjustment
plate or element 26.
To prevent reverse (clockwise) movement of the bull gear 25, a
second pawl 24' is pivotally mounted by a pin 23a' on a lower
bracket assembly 23' that is directly secured to the main frame 10.
The pawl 24' is urged into tooth-engagement by a tension spring
24b' that is secured between a lug 24f' on the pawl 24' and a lug
24e' on the mounting bracket 24'. It will be apparent that the pawl
24' rides over teeth 25a of the bull gear when rotation is being
effected counterclockwise by the pawl 24, but that reverse
(clockwise) rotation is prevented by latching engagement of the
pawl 24' with the teeth 25a.
The construction and mounting of the jack 30 for the master drive
unit C, for the power drive unit D and for the booster units E is
substantially the same. For this reason, to avoid duplication of
description, like parts of the drive units have been given the same
reference numerals, but with a single prime affix for the power
unit and a double prime affix for the booster units. Where the
parts are exactly the same, no prime affixes have been applied.
Again referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the lower end of the housing
of the jack 30 is shown pivotally mounted at 76 on an upright
mounting bracket 10d which is secured to extend upwardly from the
main frame 10. Water under pressure is supplied alternately to
opposite ends of the jack 30 and alternately exhausted therefrom
through flexible, end-mounted hose lengths 30a and 30b.
Reciprocating movement or reversal of the direction of movement of
the piston rod 31 is effected by a poppet valve 34 that is mounted
on the side of the housing of the jack to exend sideways therefrom
(see FIG. 7). The valve 34 has an upper plunger 34a that is adapted
to be engaged and pressed inwardly by a laterally extending finger
35b which is secured on a vertically movable, side-positioned
operating rod 35. The rod 35 is secured, as by weld metal, to the
side of a clevis 33 carried by the upper or outer end of piston rod
31.
When the piston rod 31 is in its final, innermost, withdrawn
position of FIG. 7, the poppet valve 34 is actuated by its plunger
34a to send a reversing signal through flexible hose lines 34d and
34e to a main control valve 36 to reverse the direction of positive
forwardly and exhaust flows to the jack 30. At this time, there is
a positive fluid flow through line 30b and a negative or return
flow through line 30a which is the direct opposite of the flow in
accordance with which the piston 32 is moved positively to its
"down" and innermost position within the jack housing. When the
piston rod 31 has reached its uppermost position, a
side-projecting, lower operating finger 35c contacts pressure
plunger 34b of the poppet valve 34 to send a signal through lines
34d and 34e to again effect a reverse flow through the lines 30a
and 30b, such that the power pressure flow is through line 30a and
the exhaust flow is through line 30b. Operating water under
pressure is applied to the poppet valve 34 through a flexible hose
line 34c which, as shown in FIG. 6, is connected to a tee 56a, a
line valve and a gauge to a main input water line 56 from the main
water supply end coupling 20a that leads from the main valve
45.
Operating water under pressure is applied to control valve 36 which
effects a positive reciprocating movement of the jack 30, through
line 57, an alignment flow control valve 55, and a line 56b from
the tee 56a (see FIG. 6). Water exhausts from the valve 36 through
line 98 which may be connected to a spray nozzle 99 carried on the
rear end of the main frame 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and mounted on
spacer collar 14. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, a pressure gauge
37 is shown connected to the inside of the cylinder of the jack 30
through a manual line closing valve 38.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 12, main water supply
shut-off valve 45 is controlled in its operation by a lever system
which is pivotally mounted on the main frame 10 by a mounting
bracket assembly 49 that is secured thereto to project upwardly
therefrom. The system has a pair of operating arms 47 and 51 that
are secured in a pivotally connected operating relation on an
upright, frame mounted bracket 49 by a connecting pin 47a. The pin
47a is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 53 that is secured by weld
metal to extend crosswise through the upper end of the bracket 49.
Latching arm 47 of the assembly has a down-projecting latching pin
47a which is adapted to engage within a hole in the end of a valve
shut-off main lever arm 52 to hold the valve 45 through the agency
of the arm 52 in fully open, left hand position of FIG. 5 against
the tension of a spring 48 that normally urges it to a closed, dot
and dash position of the same Figure.
Again referring to FIG. 12, a longitudinally extending push rod 50
has a pivoted, bifurcated mounting with the lever arm 51 and, at
its front end, is slidably mounted within a guide collar 50c that
is weld-secured to an upstanding, box-like mounting piece 74 that
may be weld-secured to the main frame 10. The foremost front end
portion of the operating push rod 50 has a downwardly bent or
right-angular extension portion 50a that, at its lower end, carries
a bifurcated bracket or clevis 50b having a cross-extending,
removable guide pin 50c to receive and bypass the anchor cable 41.
During normal forward movement of the apparatus along a crop field,
the somewhat thimble-like guide construction 50b will freely slide
along the anchored cable 41 until it engages a stop or trip block
41a that is secured on the cable, see also FIG. 1. This engagement
causes the rod 50 to move in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 12
to thus raise the latch arm 47 to disengage its latching pin 47a
from within a latching hole in the valve operating arm 52. At this
time, the spring 48 will then be free to swing the arm 52 to its
right hand position of FIG. 5 to fully shut-off flow of water from
the valve 45 to all parts of the apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 12, the stop or trip block 41a which is adapted to
be mounted on the cable 41 may be of two-part construction secured
together by a set screw in a clamping relation on the cable. This
enables the stop 41a to be located at any suitable desired position
along the anchor cable 41 for effecting an automatic stopping
operation.
Self-alignment of the forward movement of the master drive unit C
is enabled through a mechanism or system particularly illustrated
in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings. In this connection, the capstan
40 is mounted with respect to the shaft 17 in such a manner that
any misalignment of the main frame 10 with respect to the cable 41
will be registered in the alignment system, but without any danger
of the reeving being disturbed. With reference to FIG. 10, a pair
of longitudinally spaced-apart support arms 67 and 67' are rigidly
secured by bolt and nut assemblies 70, 70' to brackets 10c and 10c'
that are mounted on the frame 10 to project downwardly therefrom
and carry a pair of pulley boxes 68 and 68' within which are
rotatably mounted guide alignment pulleys 69 and 69'. This assures
that any misalignment of the machine with respect to the anchored
cable 41 does not influence the reeving of it with respect to the
capstan 40.
To register off-alignment, a lengthwise-extending, angle-shaped
member 72 is shown pivotally mounted by a pivot bolt, nut and
washer assembly 75 on a foot 74a of a bracket 74 that extends
downwardly from the main frame 10 and also extends upwardly
therefrom as a stationary support for the rotating axle shaft 17.
Each end of the alignment arm member 72 is connected through
adjustable screw and nut means 73, 73' to pulley mounting housings
or boxes 65, 65'. Each box is carried on a swing finger 61, 61';
the upper end of each finger is pivotally mounted at 62, 62' in a
side-extending bifurcated bracket 10b, 10b' that is secured to and
mounted to the main frame 10. Each box 65, 65' carries a pair of
cooperating pulleys 66 and 66' which, with their central grooves,
define a pass therebetween for the anchor cable 41 (see FIG.
11).
The right hand end of the alignment assembly in FIG. 10, see the
detail of FIG. 11 and the enlarged detail of FIG. 11A, is provided
with an adjustment screw 60a which is threadably adjustably mounted
to extend through pivot finger 61 to support and adjustably carry a
collar 58. The collar 58 at one end has a slot and pin mounting 58a
on an extending end of the adjustment screw shaft 60a (see FIG.
11A). The collar 58 also has an integral, side-extending valve
operating finger 59a that has a pivot pin 55b which swingably
connects the finger 59a on a mounting finger 55a which extends
integrally from the housing of an alignment flow control valve 55.
Alignment control valve 55 is positioned in the water supply line
56b to adjust the flow of water under pressure through line 57 (see
FIGS. 5 and 6) to the control valve 36 for the jack 30. As
indicated in FIGS. 11 and 11A, swing of the pivot finger 59a about
the pivot point 55b will control the operation of the valve 55
through its connection 59b to valve operating stem 59 to, in one
direction, open it to more than its normal setting and in the other
direction to move it towards a closed position, depending on
whether the misalignment is caused by a lagging of the master drive
unit C with respect to the wheel-line, or a more normal condition
in which the master drive unit C tends to lead the wheel-line
during advance of the apparatus over a crop field area.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, the drive mechanism for
the power mover unit D and the booster units E operate in
substantially the same manner as previously described in connection
with the master drive unit C, except that no capstan is used and
the bull gear 25', 25" is keyed to directly effect rotating
movement of the saft 17. However, an additional feature is added to
the mechanism of the power drive and booster units which is
employed to provide protection to units of the wheel-line from the
standpoint of obstructions encountered by it during its forward
movement. Such means may be termed torque means, in the sense that
it will automatically close-off water pressure application to the
respective jacks 30 of such unit when torque resistance to forward
advance of such units reaches a preset maximum limit.
As shown particularly in FIG. 8, the jack 30, instead of being
directly, pivotally mounted at the lower end of its housing on the
main frame of the unit, is securely and non-pivotally mounted by a
pin 77 to an upwardly extending foot portion of a fulcrum arm 78.
The fulcrum arm 78 is, in turn, mounted on a fixed pivot 79
adjacent the jack on a frame mounted, upwardly projecting bracket
10d'. It will be noted that this bracket has a reinforcing rib 80
through which the pivot pin 79 extends. It will thus be apparent
that when the housing of the jack 30 of unit D or E tends to swing
during the reciprocating movement of its piston 32, this will cause
a corresponding movement of the fulcrum arm 78. When the piston rod
31 of the jack 30 is moved outwardly or upwardly to advance its
bull gear 25' or 25", as effected by the upward swing of the
stroking arm 28', see the dot and dash position thereof, this
causes a corresponding forwardly, downwardly, tilted positioning of
the fulcrum arm 78, as indicated by the solid line position of FIG.
8.
An extension piece 81 is weld-secured to the fulcrum arm 78 and, at
its foremost end, has a slide pin 78a projecting therefrom to
operate within an elongated slot 84a in a valve operating finger
84. The finger 84 is adapted to move between the full line and dot
and dash line positions at FIG. 8. The dot and dash line position
represents a position in which a pressure cut-off valve 85 may be
fully closed through the agency of its pin shaft 86 that securely,
non-rotatably carries the forward end of the slotted finger 84
thereon. To adjust the amount of force or torque to which the
finger 84 may be subjected before it completely closes the valve
85, the extension piece 81 carries an adjustable screw and nut
assembly 82 that extends therethrough and that, at its lower end,
is urged downwardly by a tension spring 83. The spring 83 is
connected between the lower end of the screw of the assembly 82 and
a mounting lug 83a on a downwardly projecting leg of bracket 10e
that is bolt-secured to the frame 10' or 10".
The valve 85 has an in-line position the same as the alignment flow
control valve 55 of the master unit C (see FIG. 6), in that it is
connected between take-off line 56b and the main water pressure
supply line 57 that leads to the jack-operating main control valve
36. Adjusting the tension of the spring 83, for example increasing
it, will increase the required amount of torque as applied to the
jack 30 through the stroking arm 28, before a complete cut-off
pressure fluid is accomplished to thus stop forward movement of the
particular unit in question.
The pressure setting for the cut-off action may be noted from the
pressure gauge 37 to which water may be supplied from the cylinder
of the jack when the hand wheel 38 is moved from its normally
closed to an open position.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a typical sprinkler mount such as
located along the rotating water supply and wheel-line defining
shaft 17. Sprinkler heads 93 are located along suitable
spaced-apart length portions of the member 17, usually in an
equally spaced relation between the wheel units D and E and
supplemental wheels F. Water is supplied to a central chamber 92
through a hole 17a in the wall of the shaft 17. The chamber 92 is
defined by a two-part, fluid sealed-off coupling collar or sleeve
construction 90 which, at its ends, has a rotatable mounting with
respect to the member 17 and is sealed-off by suitable gasket means
91. The central chamber 92, as defined by the sleeve 90, supplies
water under pressure through a threaded exit pipe 94 to spray
nozzle head 93 which is shown provided with an outwardly extending,
upwardly projecting nozzle 93a. Each head 93 may be adapted to
rotate on its stem 94 to provide a circular path of water spray in
a conventional manner.
To prevent rotatative movement of the sleeve 90 with the shaft 17
during its driving movement, a backwardly extending, angle-shaped,
trailing ground-engaging sprag rod 97 is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sleeve 90 may be of two-part,
sealed-off construction bolted together for easy assembly and
disassembly through the agency of bolt and nut assemblies 95, and
associated resilient gaskets that extend along flanges of the two
halves. The upper end of each trailing rod 97 has a sleeve 96 with
a hole therethrough which fits over a pipe nipple 98 that is
assembled into a threaded projection that extends from the bottom
portion of the sleeve 90. The rod is secured in position with
respect thereto by a pipe cap 98a. Sleeve 90 is retained in
position on conduit 17 over hole 17a by two split clamps 99, 99'
which are secured in position by bolt and nut assemblies 99a.
With reference to FIG. 15, tee fitting 20 may be of somewhat
similar construction to the sleeve 90 of FIGS. 13 and 14. It is,
however, of one-piece construction and is provided with sealing
gaskets 91' that permit rotation of the shaft 17 with respect to
the collar. A fluid chamber 92' is defined by the wall of the
collar 20 that enables water supplied by the short length hose H to
be supplied to the shaft 17 through feed holes 17a' that may be of
larger size and smaller in number than shown, if so desired.
It will appear from the previously described construction of the
apparatus illustrated in the drawings, the master drive unit C is
positively advanced by its jack 30 at a relatively slow rate,
dependent upon the number of teeth that are adjustably set to be
engaged by the stroking arm 28. Since the bull gear 25 and the
capstan 40 of the unit C are integrally secured together, this will
produce a corresponding turning movement of the capstan and thus a
forward movement of the capstan in its reeving relation with
respect to the cable 41. As to the power unit D and the booster
units E, advancing movement is accomplished in a similar manner by
their respective jacks 30, except that no capstan is provided and
their bull gears 25' and 25" are keyed to or secured on the shaft
17 to directly actuate it.
Adjustment of the member 26 of each unit is set by the wing nut 27b
(see FIG. 9), in order to assure that each unit C, D and E has the
same forward timing for coordinated, aligned advance. Since each
jack 30 of the units will have a like return stroke or movement
that is assured by positive fluid actuation, uncertain, erratic
return action of the jack is obviated. Without such a positive
return movement, it is impossible to coordinate the piston movement
as is now assured in the present construction.
It is believed to be apparent that the equipment or apparatus of
the present invention is so constructed that once its forward
operation is initiated, its operation will be substantially fully
automatic and that it will not require an attendant to closely
follow and become soaked with water. The only manual requirement
for transversing the full length of the field in which an anchor
cable 41 extends, is for an attendant to open and close valves of
the hydrant A, A', etc. and detach the flexible hose G from a given
hydrant, such as A of FIG. 1, when the apparatus has additionally
reached the forward length extent of the hose, and to then attach
the hose to the next hydrant A' and open its valve. At this time,
the apparatus will resume its forward advancing movement. Stop 41a
may be located at a suitable position along the anchor cable 41 to
effect an automatic stoppage of the apparatus at the end of the
run. This is accomplished by a fully automatic closing of the main
supply valve 45 of the master drive unit C.
The attendant, on noting such stoppage and desiring to return the
machine to its starting location, may then approach the hydrant A',
shut it off and uncouple the hose G therefrom. He then uncouples
the other end of the hose G from the shut-off valve coupling 45a
and connects it to the front, dead-end coupling 21. Next, the dogs
or pawls 24 and 24' of the units C, D and E are moved back against
the tension of their springs 24b and 24b' out of engagement with
the bull gears 25, 25' and 25". They are locked in such a position
by hooking each chain 24d, 24d' through an adjacent projecting lug
24c, 24c' so as to permit the bull gears to freely move in a
clockwise direction.
At this time, the atttendant may start up combustion engines I
which are carried by the master unit C and the power drive unit D.
It will be noted from FIGS. 5 and 6 that each engine has a gear and
drive shaft assembly 101 which is connected through a transmission,
for example, in a hydrostatic gear box 102, to drive shaft 103 on
which pinion 104 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 5, the pinion 104 is
adapted to mesh with the teeth of a gear 105 that is keyed or
secured on the conduit and drive shaft 17. A manual operating arm
106 is employed to operate an overriding clutch in the gear box 102
to drive the pinion 104. In this way, the apparatus may be moved
backwardly, dragging the flexible hose G to the rear thereof and at
a suitable speed, as governed by throttle on each engine I and the
ratio of the running gears of the drive train. When the apparatus
arrives at its starting position, then the operating lever 106 may
be swung to throw the shaft 103 out of operation. The engine I may
then be stopped.
* * * * *